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Post by Francis York Morgan on Jan 18, 2011 22:12:44 GMT -8
"Two incidents in one night? Sounds like a bad moon was on the rise," York said, looking up from his mug. "As for the driver, the finer details were obscured, but even through the rain and darkness, and the smoke filling the other car..."
He looked up at the ceiling and tapped his collarbone in contemplation. "...He was definitely male. Short, messy black hair. Caucasian. Red shirt. And I believe he was smoking a cigarette at the time. Save for the hairstyle and the shirt, the latter of which I own but am not currently wearing, he and I have the aforementioned qualities in common... And of course, the psychotic urge to commit vehicular manslaughter in a rusty, unlicensed car is another point of differentiation between us. There may be other similarities and differences of which my partner and I are currently unaware, but if you have further information, perhaps you could help us fill in the gaps."
He gazed levelly at her.
"Does my description strike you as unsettling or familiar? Please don't worry about omitting anything from your account. A strange night makes for strange recollections, and my coffee has just informed me that you have some very interesting stories to tell."
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 18, 2011 22:29:34 GMT -8
Charlotte took a sip of her coffee, buying herself a few second. So Agent York had encountered the Smoking Man as well. That made three, counting Polly. She wondered if that meant he was sensitive to seeing Shadows as well, or if they were separate sensitivities. It was an interesting question, one she’d have to look into later. For now, she was left trying to figure out what, exactly, to tell him about the incidents.
Of course. Just the shirt and the psychotic urges. You are an odd duck, Agent Francis York Morgan.
“I can certainly try to. Not sure how many gaps I can fill, though.”
She met his gaze steadily. His... coffee? How could his coffee inform him of her ‘interesting stories to tell’? And more importantly... how in the hell could his coffee be RIGHT?
“Interesting. Have you ever considered the possibility that your coffee lies?”
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Post by Francis York Morgan on Jan 18, 2011 23:25:28 GMT -8
"No more than I consider the possibility than two and two may someday be unequal to four!" York replied immediately, eyes as wide as child whose older siblings are trying to convince him of the non-existence of Santa Claus. "Which is to say, I don't necessarily rule it out; but as an equation, it has proven itself useful in too many practical situations for most people to bother with improbable, hypothetical exceptions. For example, someday this universe we are all so fond of may collapse back down into its original, lawless state of chaos. Coffee and mathematics as we know them will cease to have meaning... But until that moment comes, the contents of this-" He held up his mug- "-will remain unassailable as the key investigative tool in my arsenal as a Federal agent."
<That was a great speech,> the voice in his head said gravely. <If this were a movie, now would be the perfect time for a dramatic courtroom applause scene.>
York bowed slightly from the waist. "Thank you, Zach. Now where were we... Oh yeah. Miss Jacobs, and her interesting stories."
He sipped his coffee and felt its energy move through him like a dark wind.
"As a concrete demonstration of its effectiveness, I'll take your hesitation as a signal to confide in you some details. What I saw in my coffee... Or, rather, what it revealed to me... Was very specific about you, Charlotte. Since you came to Greenvale, you've no doubt brushed up against things you've never encountered before... Things that should not exist in this world. Before I came here myself, I had no reason to believe there were others that could see Them, but appears I was mistaken. In truth, I didn't really need the coffee to tell me that... I have a friend who is somewhat sensitive in these matters, and it appears you really have been 'tangoing with the nightlife', as the local colloquialism goes. But that's not the half of it.
"The other symbol I saw was a lit cigarette. An otherwise mundane object, but it wasn't my preferred brand. In fact, it didn't appear to be a brand I've ever seen before. For some reason, this filled me with unease... And a premonition of fire. Lots of fire. I'd be wary if I were you... It's not often the coffee warns me about matters concerning other people. This kind of exception is never a good sign."
A pregnant pause. York's tone when he spoke again was almost preternaturally polite.
"...Well, Charlotte? Do you still think it's worth considering the possibility that two and two occasionally fail to add up to four?"
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 19, 2011 0:11:24 GMT -8
Charlotte took a sip of coffee and listened to York in thoughtful (and a little wary) silence. His opening speech was both amusing and impressive. Coffee as an investigative tool? Well, I’ve heard weirder... I’ve seen weirder. And who, exactly, was Zach? That was a question for another time. She tilted her head slightly as he mentioned ‘Them’; she could hear the capital T in his voice. He can see the Shadows? And suspected that she could as well.
At the mention of seeing a cigarette in his coffee she grew very still. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, drawing in a shaky breath. Apparently my encounters with the Smoking Man are not yet concluded.
“Trust me... I’ve never been warier.”
She couldn’t help the lopsided smile at his question.
“For extremely large values of 2, certainly,” she replied. “However...” she trailed off for a minute, still hesitating. But he’d had a run-in with the Smoking Man too, and he deserved to know more, in case it happened again. She sighed, scrubbing a hand through her hair.
“I don’t know who or what the Smoking Man is. But I’ve encountered him several times. He... enjoys toying with people. He appears to have an ability to pick up on things about people. Things from their past. I don’t know if this is true for everyone he chooses as a plaything, or just me. I suspect it’s the former, however.”
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Post by Francis York Morgan on Jan 20, 2011 9:11:58 GMT -8
“The Smoking Man… Sounds like a villain out of a fairy tale, or maybe a popular television show,” York mused. He was already in the process of lighting a cigarette of his own, as if to emphasize the content of her account.
“You speculate that he hasn’t singled you out, that perhaps everyone is equally in danger. I don’t want to alarm you, but there are things about your history… Things you may have contacted without realizing… that may have drawn him to you for reasons not even he may be aware. I’m assuming you didn’t tell the police about this because you didn’t think they would believe you, or because your encounters with him took place ‘off the grid’, so to speak… Would I be correct in making that assumption?”
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 20, 2011 16:06:57 GMT -8
The glow and now nauseatingly familiar scent of cigarettes had Charlotte tensing as though she were about to back away. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to relax. He wasn’t the Smoking Man. She knew this. Well... mostly knew. He’d couldn’t have run himself off the road. The smell of cigarettes just... skipped the logic centre of the brain, that’s all.
She released a shaky breath and offered him a small smile.
“I didn’t tell the police because I would have sounded certifiable. ‘I was chased through the lumbermill by a chain smoking psychopath who may or may not be able to be seen by everyone’ sounds insane. No matter how true it is.”
Charlotte sighed. Was he talking about the Red Seeds and her mother’s murder? She wanted to ask... but as she wasn’t supposed to know about them and didn’t want to reveal David’s slip of the tongue, she didn't.
“I don’t think he has. Well, not at first, at least. I might have pissed him off enough to where he would single me out. But in the beginning... I think it was just a matter of wrong place, really wrong time. I’m not the only one to encounter him. He caused your accident, for one.”
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Post by Francis York Morgan on Jan 20, 2011 16:57:29 GMT -8
Zach was observing Charlotte's reaction to York's cigarette with great interest.
<First Michael Tillotson, now Charlotte Jacobs. One seems drawn to it, the other cringes away. And what's this about a lumbermill?>
"While chain-smoking isn't a crime, attempted murder certainly is, and it's a confident criminal who tries it on a federal agent," York replied, snapping close his lighter with an expansive gesture. "Whatever his claims and supposed abilities, your Smoking Man is a dangerous felon, just like any other. I would like to help you before you get into any more trouble, but I have a feeling your leads at this point may be stronger than mine… All I can do is suggest that you spend the rest of the day in a swimming pool or other body of water, and try not to do anything foolish."
He gave her a hard, questioning look as he said this, that quickly softened into frank curiosity behind the curtain of smoke he was exhaling.
"...I'm wondering, though, how on Earth a woman like you ended up with a guy like David. Have you told him any of this? I haven't worked with him much before, but the last time we met, he struck me as the skeptical sort."
<I'm surprised you didn't use the word "dull". Wasn't that the impression you got?>
"Zach," York said, turning away and whispering into his hand, "when I saw the way her eyes lit up when I first dropped his name, I knew I should take special precautions. Besides, there's nothing wrong with a healthy dose of skepticism. Otherwise you'll end up like that guy we cuffed last year who thought Gremlins was a documentary. Ha! I wish..."
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 20, 2011 17:23:52 GMT -8
Charlotte raised an eyebrow at him.
“My Smoking Man?” She laughed. “I don’t think he’s mine. It’s not like I’ve been seeking him out. Well, except the once, but that was incidental, and more that he set it up and was already at my intended destination than my actually seeking him out.”
Wow. Way to ramble.
Her brain sort of stalled for a moment when York, with a look of frank curiosity, asked how on earth a woman like her ended up with a guy like David. It was lucky she didn’t have a mouthful of coffee, otherwise he would have ended up with a face-full of it. As it was, she’d just swallowed, and started coughing. What the hell do I tell him? Don’t want to get David into trouble... Time to err on the side of caution.
“He’s on vacation. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him. We’ve been catching up. It’s a little strange that of all the places the two of us could end up, we end up here, in Greenvale. At the same time.”
Her brow furrowed as York turned away, whispering into his hand. She could still hear him, though which was a little surprising. Wait... who’s Zach? My EYES lit up??? ‘Take special precautions’? What the hell? What sort of special precautions? Without thinking, too surprised to sensor herself, she responded to some of what he said.
“Life would certainly be more interesting if Gremlins was a documentary. Always wanted a Mogwai...”
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 21, 2011 11:17:22 GMT -8
Emily sighed and looked at her watch. Where was York? She had called him ten minutes ago saying she was outside! George expected them at the station in 10 minutes for a brief meeting before heading to the crime scene.
They were going to be late and George was going to be pissed. Again. Oh what a wonderful start the morning, if she was lucky maybe her and George could have another screaming match about York this afternoon!
Annoyed Emily hoped out of her car and scurried inside the warm hotel. The lobby was empty but she could hear distant voices emanating from the hotel's dining hall ahead.
She poked her head inside she was relieved to see Agent York chatting with Charlotte and wished she could stay and chat a bit herself but they were late as it was. With an annoyed sigh she stepped up to York and taped him on the shoulder. With a frown she said, "Agent York, I've been waiting outside for the last 20 minutes, we really have to get going!" Emily offered an apologetic smile to Charlotte, "Hi Charlotte, I hope you are feeling better! I'm sorry but I have to steal Agent York here we are super late and I would rather not be chewed out by George this morning!" Then with a significant look in York's direction she jerked her head towards the exit, "Come on I have home brewed coffee and a breakfast sandwich for you in the car!"
Emily grabbed York's arm and began to pull him away and gave Charlotte a small wave, "Charlotte I hope to see you soon!"
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Post by Francis York Morgan on Jan 22, 2011 5:15:01 GMT -8
Even though he'd already had a cup, the prospect of more coffee excited York; so did the bagel sandwich, because the coffee had failed to warn him of that particular danger. He passively let himself be bustled towards the exit, but not before turning and joining Emily in her wave.
"I'm sorry our conversation got cut short just as it was getting interesting, Charlotte," he said. "After all, what kid didn't secretly want a Mogwai, even after witnessing the havoc they caused? Oh, and say hello to David for me. It's been a while since..."
He seemed to cut himself off. "...Well, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to chat later. Good bye!"
And then they were gone.
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 23, 2011 1:11:35 GMT -8
Charlotte smiled up at Emily. Her concern was surprising, considering that they’d only met a couple of times, and one of those was at the hospital. She wasn’t accustomed to such things from new acquaintances. Friends? Maybe. She did like the blonde sheriff’s deputy.
“Hi Emily. It’s good to see you again. I’m feeling much better, thank you,” she replied. “It’s all right. I’m sure Agent York and I will cross paths again.”
She turned her attention to the FBI agent, returning his wave.
“We’ll have to continue our conversation some other time then.” Her brow furrowed slightly when he cut himself off. A long time since... what? “Indeed we will, I’ve no doubt. I’ll... pass along your greeting.”
And then they were gone, leaving Charlotte and her coffee mug alone in the dining hall. She stared into her coffee. Part of her wanted to go back up to her room, and crawl back into bed with David. She was sorely tempted to, even though she had intended to go to the library and the Milk Barn. I’ll see him later... Maybe we’ll even go on that date.
But first, she had to go find Polly.
With a bounce in her step and a content smile on her face, she set down her coffee mug and went in search of her.
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Jan 26, 2011 21:22:01 GMT -8
After her confrontation with Tamika, Polly had found a quiet corner of the room just to sit and rest her eyes for a while. She hadn't slept well last night, to say the least. She could vaguely remember a time in her life when sleep had actually been restful, but now she was so used to nightmares they didn't even turn her head anymore. But that one the other night...that had been different. And that cigarette burn...but that had to have just been a careless guest. Didn't it? Lord knows she'd had enough of them over the years.
Suddenly, she couldn't bear to be alone with the thoughts circling her mind. She stood up as quickly as she could (which, honestly, wasn't very quick these days), and went in search for something to do. A full coffee pot caught her eye, and she grabbed it as she walked. The way these guests went through their coffee, there would surely be someone in need of a refill. Armed with a sense of purpose (even if it was just a little one), she made her way back into the dining room.
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 27, 2011 21:19:46 GMT -8
Charlotte was surprised to see Polly re-enter the dining room as she was just about out. Well, that’s... surprisingly lucky. She put on the brakes and headed in her direction. As she was walking she was furiously wracking her brain for what the hell she was going to say. Either way it was going to come out wrong or weird. ‘By the way Polly... I heard you had a run-in with a psycho smoker. He’s sort of real. And a bastard’. What if she thought it wasn’t real? Would she really appreciate finding out otherwise? Maybe she could make sure Polly was all right without completely revealing the reasons why she was inquiring. She sighed, before getting the other woman’s attention.
“Polly!” she called.
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Polly
Junior Member
What's that? Oh dear, I'm afraid we're all out of pepper.
Posts: 88
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Post by Polly on Jan 28, 2011 18:33:13 GMT -8
Polly whirled around at the sound of Charlotte's voice, almost spilling the contents of the coffee pot. I guess I'm still a little on edge... She decided that she better not drink any of the coffee herself this morning.
"Charlotte!" she called back. "It's good to see you! How are you feeling?" It really was good to see her. The younger woman certainly looked like she was feeling better; she was well enough to come home if nothing else. "I meant to visit you in the hospital, but, well..." Polly looked down at her hands. Had she really been too busy? Or was she afraid?
But what was she afraid of?
Oh, well, it was too late in any case. It was time to help the living now. Wait, what? What did that mean? There were so many turmoiled thoughts and emotions circling each other in Polly's head that she was having difficulty paying attention to the conversation.
It's real. But it couldn't be. Life didn't work that way. And the life around her hadn't even stuttered, nothing was out of the ordinary--ah. But that was a stupid thought, especially for her, after what she had known, what she had done...
But even if there was a tiny, almost impossible chance that it had been real, what could she do? The immediate answer was nothing. After all, she'd spent fifty years looking for something, some way to redeem that other ill-fitting memory with no answer in sight. Why would this be any different? At least she knew how to live with it. If it even was real, and not the dream it had seemed to be.
She straightened up a little and looked at Charlotte. "Oh...oh, I'm sorry. I was lost in thought. I had this terrible nightmare the other night..."
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Post by Charlotte Jacobs on Jan 28, 2011 21:32:16 GMT -8
Charlotte offered Polly a friendly smile. She hadn’t meant to startle her... but after what she’d gone through, it wasn’t surprising that she’d be so on edge. She crossed over to the other woman.
“It’s good to see you too. I feel much better.” And she did, for the most part. Her ribs still hurt, and the bruises were a lovely shade of purple, but they looked like they might be heading towards the splotchy shades that healing bruises took. And David was a very good distraction from such things.
She nodded in understanding when Polly apologised for being lost in thought. And then she mentioned the nightmare. A perfect opening.
“That’s... actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Mister Stewart asked me to look in on you. Make sure you were all right.” Charlotte paused... before just coming outright with it. “He told me what happened. Not EXACTLY what happened, I mean. Just that you had... an unwelcome visitor.” She bit her lip. “If it was a nightmare... you and I had similar ones. With the same psychotic chain-smoking star.”
Well, that was a rambling mess, wasn’t it.
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